Self-Studying APs Help College Admissions?

<p>I self-studied for two AP exams (sort of), and I'm planning to apply to schools such as Yale & UCB.</p>

<p>It's not listed on my transcripts as independent study or anything, so how would colleges know I've taken it?
Besides that, does it help in college admissions?
If I do well on one exam, and poorly in another, can I send in or report only one of the scores (or is that unethical)?</p>

<p>I'm a little confused as to how this works with people who are self-studying subjects.</p>

<p>I think you list that in the academic honors section. I would list what ever you think is right.</p>

<p>As far as if it helps, I dont know... i would like to know the samething. Yale is my top choice, and im wondering if its worth studying a fourth AP independently.</p>

<p>Oh, so they are self-reported? That's awesome. It makes me feel a little bit more at ease about one of the tests I'm taking next week.</p>

<p>Also, I was wondering whether or not the scores were sent to your high school? I can't seem to find this answer on the collegeboard website.</p>

<p>Some people have told me on this site that AP tests help boost college admissions, showing that you are capable of college-level work, but others say that this is not true for the reason that colleges do not see your scores unless you choose to attend that institution. For someone self-studying, is it safe to assume, then, that it won't help in admissions (unless self-reported in the academic honors section)?</p>

<p>I was wondering how self study would be regarded as well... do they look on it more favorably (because youre taking initiative) than someone who gets the same score but took the course? Or is it worse since you could have just crammed for the test and not taken the challenging coursework?</p>

<p>Anyway to answer the op's question, you don't have to report scores you don't like. If you are taking an AP course, colleges might wonder at you not reporting a score, but for self study they have no reason to believe you took that test. So if you don't like your performance, it's just as if you'd never taken it :)</p>

<p>If you report good scores, that could absolutely help in admissions. The nice thing is, not having any reported scores doesn't really hurt you (although if you are applying to very selective colleges then you might be hurt by comparison; ie, most other applicants will have at least a few 4s and 5s)</p>

<p>My school posts AP scores on our transcripts but you're allowed to have them removed. Obviously if you do well on these AP exams, you should report these scores on your application. I really don't know how much it will help in college admissions. I've seen people who've taken loads and loads of AP exams and scored 5s who've been turned down while others who haven't taken as many AP exams get admitted. Quality over Quantity in the end.</p>

<p>Thanks so much, everyone! I finally have answers. Haha. Better get back to studying. </p>

<p>Thanks again.</p>